Selenol-Based Nucleophilic Reaction for the Preparation of Reactive Oxygen Species-Responsive Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymers

• Main Authors: Xiaowei An, Weihong Lu, Jian Zhu, Xiangqiang Pan, Xiulin Zhu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-05-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: RAFT; selenol; amphiphilic polymer; drug delivery
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/11/5/827

Selenide-containing amphiphilic copolymers have shown significant potential for application in drug release systems. Herein, we present a methodology for the design of a reactive oxygen species-responsive amphiphilic diblock selenide-labeled copolymer. This copolymer with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution was prepared by sequential organoselenium-mediated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (Se-RAFT) polymerization and selenol-based nucleophilic reaction. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-to-flight (MALDI-TOF) techniques were used to characterize its structure. Its corresponding nanomicelles successfully formed through self-assembly from the copolymer itself. Such nanomicelles could rapidly disassemble under oxidative conditions due to the fragmentation of the Se−C bond. Therefore, this type of nanomicelle based on selenide-labeled amphiphilic copolymers potentially provides a new platform for drug delivery.